History
My friend Nicole (http://www.oocities.org/Wellesley/9918/) and I are hair sisters. Between the two of us, we've had almost every hair style black hair can hold ...Braids, twists, natural, weave, perm, texturizer, hot-combed, flat ironed, and wet set. Through it all we discovered that we needed good products. Nicole and I were tired of wasting our money on products that promised miracles, but just didn't deliver. So we got the idea to start webpages for all the other women out there who are in the same predicament we are in, trying to keep the hair on our heads:
- There
- Healthy
- Moisturized
- Soft
- Growing
Bear in mind that everyone's hair (texture and reaction) is different, but some things work for us universally. We hope this list is full of those universal things!
Hair Photo Page!
Update July 16, 2003: This is brand spanking new! A page containing a few photos of myself with two-strand twists. I love my twists; they are super-cute and so liberating! You don't have to worry about humidity, fog, mist, rain, swimming or sweating when you wear these. Your hair looks great no matter what happens. http://www.oocities.org/tiamat69/Hairphotopage.html
Up Next!
The new products and strategies I'll be self testing and then probably bashing( No, I'm not bitter at all!).- The book "No Lye" had some very important tips! A great book! My personally favorite are the lists of ingredients she informs us are necessary for black hair...Here's a short list:
Conditioner: Cetheth 20, Panthenol, and Cetearyl alcohol
Shampoo: *(read entry below about Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates) Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycole, Lauramide DEA, and Cocamidopropylamine oxide.All these ingredients must be in your shampoos and conditioners to keep your hair hydrated and managable! Always read before you buy! And remember, NO MINERAL OIL!!! I may have to unrecommend Motions conditioner for that reason! And Lori Davis' new conditioner too, they changed the forulation to include mineral oil!! DARN!
Health Food Stores are your best bet for finding products that contain these important ingredients. Like Jason Natural Cosmetics line.- Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates
- There is ALOT of controversy about Sodium Laureth Sulfate and any Lauryl or Laurmide dirivatives. Some say it causes cancer if unbuffered, others say it's the newest urban myth... I just don't know. It's used in almost everything that makes bubbles; toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, floor cleaner etc., etc. The U.S. has found no problems with it since it is in high use, but they haven't done all the tests, so who's to say. It is listed as 2-(2-DODECYLOXYETHOXY)ETHYL SODIUM SULFATE) (a.k.a. Sodium Diethylene glycol Lauryl Ether Sulfate) on the TRI(Toxic Release Inventory) database with CAS(Chemical Abstracts Service) number: 3088-31-1. You can check it out on http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles or http://chemfinder.camsoft.com. Decide for yourself, I hit a brick wall.
- Here's my new strategy, Facial moisturizer as scalp moisturizer!! This makes sense because I get acne easily as well as having dry scalp and dry hair (lucky me!!!:P). I'll try different really rich non-comdogenic ( non-pore clogging) facial moisturizers on my scalp. 'Cause I'm telling you......oil ain't working! I'm using Loreal Plenitude Hydra-Renewal Continuous Moisturizer for this week.
-Update- This Loreal Plenitude Hydra-Renewal Continuous Moisturizer is no good. It gets too oily and starts to smell slightly rancid on your hair after about 6 days. On the plus side: My skin isn't breaking out and my scalp is definatly less flaky. I'm not sold though, I'll try Neutrogena's light night cream...or Pond's Dry skin cream.
-Update February 3, 2003- The best product I've found to moisturize my scalp is Burt's Bees "Vitamin E Lemon - Almond Oil". It smells really clean and fresh and I have not had problems with breakouts while using it. Of course this is post-accutane skin so, I think I am less prone to breakouts in general. Regardless of that, Burt's Bees is a great company that is very environmentally sustainable and produces great products. I recommend their Lemon Oil, Carrot body lotion, orange facial cleanser, citrus facial scrub, peppermint shower soap and green goddess facial mask. As you can tell I really love Burt's Bees!
- Check them out at www.burtsbees.com! http://www.burtsbees.com
- Pantene Pro-Vitamin Hair Strengthening Complex Spray- cute commercial, let's see if it delivers!
- The All Soft line by Redken- I have high hopes since I love their protein Anti-frizz cream!
- I read this one in Allure, Orlando Pita (please if you're Orlando Pita reading this I BEG you on my hands and Knees PLEASE do my hair!!!! I've known about your magical abilities with black hair since 1992, but then you got famous for styling Madonna and now you probably charge so much I'd never be able to afford your talent WAH-Wah!!! Oh well.)Actually it was Eugene Souleiman, not Pita who recommended this recommended using a leave-in anti frizz creme(Phytodefrisant Hair Straightening Balm) after washing to lightly relax the curl in curly hair! According to Souleiman, "It imparts moisture and reduces some of the curl but doesn't make it look frizzy"-Allure Febuary 1999. Sounds good. It may only work for white hair though...But hey, I'll try anything once! If this works....I'll be happy!! Can you say Nordstroms next week? 3-10-99. This didn't work for me. Big Surprise!
- I'll also try Julie Woods as a hair stylist...I hope! She hasn't returned my call yet!!
2-24-99. I called her back and she said I forgot to leave my phone number(Hee-hee! Silly me!). JOY! She said she'll do my hair for $45!!! That's what I normally pay for shampoo, conditioner blow-dry, press, curl and trim!! JOY! I just have to call her back and set up a time!
3-18-99 Julie Woods had lots of tips:
I can't really reccomend Shea Butter.1. Shea butter really helps your hair when you apply heat to it. I'm thinking it may be a good conditioning treatment with a bonnet dryer(I was thinking wrong...no good for me! It was just more non-conditioning grease to my hair!),
2. When putting in the sprial curls, curl only the last third part of the hair that way you keep length and have the curling end showing( the rest is covered up by the overlying lairs)! The front gets curled all the way since you see that part. Clever!
3. A straightening balm added to wet natural curly hair will help weigh it down some and keep away the frizzes ( she recommends KMS's balm).
4. My hair is close to what I want!!!! Yeah! She said that my hair is willing to do the natural curl thing and in a few months ( ~2 more inches) my hair will drop down.!!!! Yeah! She said I may want to get a real light perm to help( esp. on the roots) but she understood the horror you can go through with that.
5. Her tip for growing out hair...don't cut it. At all. No trims. Controversy!!
I had a very informative Friday! It didn't take much longer than my regular hair appointment and it cost about the same too.
- Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates
- The book "No Lye" had some very important tips! A great book! My personally favorite are the lists of ingredients she informs us are necessary for black hair...Here's a short list:
Bad Stuff:
- Wanakee Line
- I'm sorry, but the majority of her products are just too greasy and smelly. It makes me sad since it's a black female owned comapny, but NO WAY! It may have worked for her, but I couldn't use all that stuff! I spent a lot of money and ordered the oil, detangler and end treatment creme I got samples of Wanakee's shampoo and conditioner with my order. After using her products, my hair went from dry to greasy...not an improvement! She did say to use only a small amount, and I definitely tried to, but I still ended up being a grease ball. Maybe if you used only half a drop of her oil...once a week....I don't know, I'll stick with jojoba(actually not too much any more!). I don't think her conditioner was all that moisturizing either! The detangler was alright, but for the large price you could get a nice supply of better performing J&J detangler!
-
Good stuff:
- AVEDA
- I LOVE Aveda! I use the Humectant pomade to retwist my two-strand twists every month. The Brilliant Humectant Pomade is great. It enhances curl, adds shine and smells great. Try the humectant pomade and you won't be sorry. Aveda is another sustainable company ( as is Burt's Bees) that is making a positive difference in this world, by making sustainable use of natural resources and using organically grown plant ingredients to reduce the amount of pesticides going into our ecosystem and ultimately our bodies. Try the humectant pomade and you won't be sorry. Find your nearest Aveda seller at http://www.aveda.com
- Ouidad Line
- I take it back. Ouidad products are GREAT! They are wonderful whether or not you want curls. The products are quite gentle and conditioning. They truly work for your hair!
The deep treatment REALLY conditions your hair. The first time I tried the products I didn’t have the heating cap attachment, but it makes all the difference in the world!! I bought the product use video; it really helped, but you can get the general idea from the product use booklet they include wit your order. I recently bought the diffuser attachment and my curls stretched out a bit instead of shrinking all the way back to my scalp. YES! Julie Woods was right! I just need about 4 more inches of hair (I know, I know, 8 months; but I’m feeling really excited about it!)
- I am now planning a visit to the Ouidad Salon in New York at some point to see what she or her stylists can do for me. My hair is really soft, well conditioned and not sticky or greasy!
- You MUST get:
- Heating cap attachment- It attaches to your blow dryer to give you a really great intense conditioning treatment. Even if you don’t like the products, this attachment is a must have for conditioning!
- Deep treatment-This really moisturizes, softness and heals. Unbelievably, it does all the stuff they say it will! Use a heating cap with it for best results.
- Botanical Boost- It detangles, shines and I’ve found, will enhance curl if you use an obscene amount (Which I do!). It's also great for refreshing/ re-springing your curls.
- Tress FX- This is great to keep the curl in your hair after your hair dries. I am currently wearing two-strand twists and I love the cute sexy curls I have right after I get out of the shower, but they flatten out over time. Well, with Tress FX they will actually stay cute and springy. I really love this product and I prefer it to their Climate Control.
- Balancing rinse- This is great anytime you want to stop hair dryness.
- Even if you aren’t sure, get the Ouidad Product sampler and heating cap attachment. The sampler includes samples of all the products (Clear Shampoo, Balancing Rinse conditioner, Botanical boost, hair spray, Tress FX styler, shine, clear control pomade and most importantly the Deep Treatment Conditioner!!) and a conditioning cap all in a cute case.
- Definitely check out her site at www.ouidad.com! http://www.ouidad.com
- I did this review back in 1998 before I was informed, the heating cap makes a huge difference...These prouducts seemed alright, but they really didn't do anything special! After I paid $25 for those samples I was expecting a lot more! I think this is yet another product line issued for white curly hair not black. I may use up my remaining samples before I issuse the final word,but out-look: not so good. I'll probably order her dryer heating cap attachment...only $16...really good for conditioning treatments!
- Redken One 2 One Smooth Anti-frizz Creme
- Protien glosifyer and smoother, it moisturizes without being greasy or drying. Good leave-in for daily styling. Nice green scent.
- Frizz-Ease's Secret Weapon
- GR-R-R-REAT! I can't say much for the origional silicone products, but this secret weapon is great!! It really moisturizes and smooths my hair. It's kinda werid how it only lasts for 12 hours though...like Cinderella or something. Anyway, it's great daily leave-in styling or moisturizing product. Nice light smell.
- Lori Davis Line
- Remeber those late night info-mercials with Cher and Lori? Well they sell the products in drug stores now. I thought it was silly, but I tried her conditioner. It's REALLY amazing! Both her regular and deep treatment conditioners are great! They work well as leave-ins and as post-shampoo conditioners. Moisturizing Daily Conditioner( my desert island conditioner...For real! I took it with me to Madagascar when I was there for four months!) and Lori's perfection Reconstrucor Deep Conditioning Treatment. These two do all they say they will! They're great! Her detangling spray is pretty good, but J&J is better in my opinion.
- Johnson and Johnson Detangler
- Yes, I know it's for babies and little kids, but if you love your hair, you take care of it...pamper it like a baby. This stuff is really moisturizing! It detangles wonderfully and smells light, clean and fresh! It is also quite affordable and widely available.
Motions Products
- Motions Shampoo
- I can't vouch for the shampoo although Nicole loves it. Here's her review:
- Product Line: Motions
Claim: Manageability of natural, ethnic or curly hair.- Reailty Check: It works rather well. The shampoo alone detangled my hair. The shampoo was rich (but not greasy) and the conditioner smoothed out the 'frizzies'. However, I did find that the conditioner leaves my hair feeling slick, due to silicones. The Motions line is rather economical...only 3.50 for a 3 oz tube of shampoo or conditioner. The only problem is that this line is hard to find. I got mine at Sally Beauty supply so it is probably at other supply stores as well. It is also available in some salons.
-Nicole 1998- Motions Conditioner
- Motions After-Shampoo Moisture Plus Conditioner w/ Silicone
- This conditioner is exquisite! Thick, moiusturizing, great smell, added protiens and detanglers...this has it all! It really does the right stuff to your hair! My hair is coarser than Nicole's, so I had no problems with the conditioner feeling greasy. Bring it on!
- I am now planning a visit to the Ouidad Salon in New York at some point to see what she or her stylists can do for me. My hair is really soft, well conditioned and not sticky or greasy!
Straight
I know, I know, there are times when your hair has to be straight, your sister's wedding, your parents anniversary dinner party, your hot blind date, your job interview....etc. Well I've got a few tricks for that area too. Instead of blowdrying your hair to death try:
I've had other flat irons in the past: Revlon's Big Barrel curler that opens into a flat iron and Hot and Gold's Flat Iron (I've had my worst burns from Hot and Gold products!! I guess they're too hot for me!) I've managed to burn either my face, ears or neck with those irons! But the Conair version has that permanant rubber guard that protects me from any heat discomfort or burns. I like the moisturizing steam too! Try it! And do yourself a favor, remove the comb attachment, your hair doesn't need that kind of trauma, it doesn't have to be stick straight! Be black and proud! Your hair doesn't lay down, it stands up with pride! Don't take your hair's pride away! And besides, if they do hire you, it'll be less traumatic for them if you always seemed to have slightly fuller hair! :)
Some Great Resources
I wish I'd have known about these resources before I got that Rio Perm and went off to college!!! I hope this will help everyone to save their hair before they go through anything close to what I went through!
If that doesn't work, here's another page at http://www.afroworld.com/bianca.htm
Books
These are all sold at my tres cool store site too! Check it out at http://www.oocities.org/BourbonStreet/Delta/3498/dragon.html
"Plaited Glory : For Colored Girls Who'Ve Considered Braids, Locks, and Twists", by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner.
This should be another good one (I'll let you know as soon as I get my next pay check! :P). She gets even more in depth with hair styles.From the uptown micro braid to the simple cornrow, braids, locks and twists have come into their own. Plaited Glory gives the lowdown on everything from choosing a braiding salon to differentiating between styles and their costs. More than a "hair-do" book, this is a hair primer with a cultural twist. Photos. Check it out at
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0517884984/dragonericasmaga
Also try Lonnice Brittenum Bonner's "The Kitchen Beautician : For Colored Girls Who Dissed the Beauty Standard When It Became Too Ruff". http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0517884992/dragonericasmaga
This has gotten good reviews too, "No Lye!", by Tulani Kinard
One of the country's leading black hairstylists reveals the pain-free, chemical-free secrets to beautiful hair for African-American women. Included are the secrets to beautiful, safely done braids, twists, and locks; easy recipes for products that clean, strengthen, and condition the hair; methods to heal damaged hair; painless ways to care for children's hair, and more.
See it at
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312151802/dragonericasmaga
Try this one: "Let's Talk Hair : Every Woman's Personal Consultation for Healthy Growing Hair", by Pamela Ferrell, Lurma Rackley (Editor)
"FOR TOTAL APPREICATION OF NATURAL HAIR!!! Pam gives details that you can only get from trial and error. This book takes natural hair care to a new level -- educationally and spiritually. The instructions are great and the pictures are beautiful...I've tried a few of the styles, and I am grateful for the thorough instructions. This book is a MUST HAVE if you are a natural hair lover."--A reader from Hartford, Connecticut - Yolanda McMullen , February 20, 1998
"A KEEPSAKE FOR ALL BLACK WOMEN NOW, PRESENT AND FUTURE!!! "Let's Talk Hair..." is a outstanding book that many young Black women should read before they opt to put that next perm or touch in their hair! It gives you great information about the history of Black hair care and the issues Black women were forced to deal with as a collective people. It gives fabulous insight from the maintenance of Black hair, with different textures to beautiful hairstyles and networking. I personally recommend this book to anyone who is thirsty for knowledge of Black hair. Furthermore "Let's Talk Hair..." is a book that all Black women should read because this book holds valuable and vital information for all Black women if our hair is to survive the next millenium."--A reader from usa , September 3, 1998
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0939183021/dragonericasmaga
Send comments and inquiries to:tiamat69@yahoo.com
Updated 7/16/2003 tiamat69@yahoo.com
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